Last week the Tarifa-Tangier Ville route contract became the story of the week.
Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) must decide which ferry operator will get the contract to use Berth 3 in the Port of Tarifa.
Several operators are tendering: Baleària, FRS Iberia Maroc/DFDS and a new partnership between MSC and IMG.
Timeline:
November 18 Baleària Press Release:
“Baleària wins the contract for the Tarifa-Tangier Ville route”
- Baleària proclaims itself as the winner of the contract.
- Investment EUR 135 million: construction of two zero-emission electric fast ferries + the electrification of the two ports + battery recharging system.
- Ship builder: Astilleros Armon, Gijón.
- Press release ends with “pending official confirmation, we can conclude that Baleària has been the clear winner of the tender.” Pending means: not confirmed yet.
November 18 FRS Iberia Maroc/DFDS Press Release:
“FRS Iberia Maroc / DFDS Expresses Concern Over the Tender Process for Berth 3 at the Port of Tarifa”
- “Offer of Baleària is reckless and based on unrealistic projections and fictitious minimum traffic levels that evidently cannot be achieved.”
- FRS Iberia Maroc/DFDS urge the port authority to:
- Review the technical score assigned to proposals based on unfeasible projects or without sufficient technical support, especially those projects that have not been explicitly approved by the competent authorities in Morocco. (electrification)
- Ensure that the allocation is made in accordance with the requirements of the specifications, evaluating only offers that are technically and operationally viable.
- Guarantee that the process is transparent, impartial, and adjusted to the standards of integrity required by European and national regulations.
November 25 IMG+MSC Press Release:
“IMG Insotel Marine Group and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company seal an alliance for the ferry market in Spain”
- Insotel Marine Group (IMG), which includes ferry operators Trasmapi, Formentera Lines, Formentera Cargo, and Menorca Lines, has entered a groundbreaking alliance with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
- This collaboration focuses on enhancing Spain’s fast-ferry offerings through a locally tailored approach.
- Key developments include the creation of new routes in the Strait of Gibraltar, such as Ceuta-Algeciras under the Ceuta Lines brand and Tarifa-Tangier, pending a decision by the Algeciras Bay Port Authority (APBA).
- Further phases of this partnership, including additional route developments and fleet expansions, will be revealed in the coming months. This initiative represents a significant step towards redefining the fast-ferry market in Spain.
